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Marcus Trescothick warned England would have to raise their game against Australia for the remainder of the season after a shoddy fielding display in their five-wicket win against Bangladesh at Headingley.The result set up an England-Australia final to the NatWest Series, at Lord’s on July 2, and ended Bangladesh’s interest in the tournament ahead of their final group match against Australia, at Canterbury, on Thursday.”It took us about 15-20 overs really to get going before we’d switched on to playing the sort of cricket we have been over the past couple of months,” said Trescothick. “If we take 20 overs to get going against Australia they are going to hurt us. We can’t play against Australia for the rest of the summer and not be as good as we have been.”England overpowered Bangladesh by an innings in both their Tests and had already recorded two crushing wins over Bangladesh in the NatWest Series before today’s game. Asked if that had led to a lack of intensity, Trescothick said: “Possibly. We’ve been on the road for a while. I don’t want to use that as an excuse because everyone’s playing the same amount of cricket so we can’t afford to switch off when we think we can. It looked wrong, all the energy we normally have wasn’t there today.”Trescothick praised Andrew Flintoff’s bowling, which allowed England to regain control: “He bowled really well today, his figures obviously showed that. He came on at two interesting times when the momentum of the game was changing and he changed it for us. There were those two wickets in two balls and then at the end he bowled some cracking yorkers, better than I’ve seen him bowl for a long time.”Andrew Strauss took England to the brink of victory with 98 but was fortunate to come through a frenetic start, which saw him dropped on 14, before he regained his composure only to lose it at the end. But he said he wasn’t too disappointed to miss his hundred. “Twos don’t count if you need one to win but going for a massive hack is probably not the best way to do it. But it’s not something that’s important to me. I don’t know why but I felt like going harder at the ball early. But once 10 overs had gone I played my normal game which served me a little bit better.”Javed Omar top scored with 81 for Bangladesh who at least had the satisfaction of batting out their 50 overs Australia rolled them over for 139 in 35.2 overs during the10-wicket defeat at Old Trafford. Stuart Karppinen, their fitness coach, in temporary charge after Dav Whatmore flew to Melbourne on Saturday to be with his ailing father, said: “There have been improvements along the way. Getting 300 in the second Test at Durham, Mohammad Ashraful’s batting and Mashrafe Mortaza’s bowling. But the win against Australia was easily the highlight.”

Australia 235 and 4 for 150 (Gilchrist 49) lead India 376 (Kaif 64, Patel 54, Warne 6-125) by 9 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

An intriguing day’s play where punch was met by counter-punch and strategy was defied by grit set the second Test up perfectly going into the fourth day. Parthiv Patel and Mohammad Kaif stretched India’s lead on to a healthy 141 and then Australia, with Adam Gilchrist showing the way at No. 3, scrambled to 4 for 150, with a slender lead of 9.The Indian lead of 141 does not sound like an awful lot, but it was enough to put pressure on Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer. The two began shakily, but managed to get the ball away often enough to bring up the 50-run partnership before Langer’s flash outside off fell in Rahul Dravid’s lap at first slip. Langer had made 19, but it was ironic that he was the first to be dismissed, for Hayden had been the one flirting with danger. He was dropped twice by Patel behind the stumps, first when he hadn’t yet opened his account, off Zaheer Khan, and later on 21, off Anil Kumble.Eventually, though, Hayden fell on 39, but not before he had reverted to the tactic that brought him 549 runs at an uber-Bradman average of 109 on Australia’s last tour here. Hayden’s lusty sweeps were effective, but eventually caused his downfall on 39, when one ball climbed, took the edge and ballooned up for VVS Laxman to latch onto gingerly at mid-on (2 for 76).Gilchrist then showed why he was in at No. 3, sweeping Kumble, Harbhajan and Virender Sehwag for powerful boundaries in quick succession. Simon Katich, looking to be more aggressive in this innings than he had earlier in the series, reached 9 before being trapped in front of the stumps by a sharp reverse-swinging delivery from Zaheer Khan (3 for 121). Gilchrist galloped along, reaching 49 swiftly, but after a sluggish phase in sight of the half-century, was bowled around the legs by a Kumble googly (4 for 145). Only two balls before that, Patel had chalked up his third dropped catch in under 47 overs, when Gilchrist gloved Kumble down the leg side.But Patel’s day was not all about misses. Earlier, with Kaif, he proved that it was possible to bat long on this Chennai pitch. Kaif, curious stance on display – feet close together, buttocks stuck out, hands spread on the bat handle – took his guard outside the crease, and used a straight bat to great effect against the medium-pacers. Patel, waiting and watching the ball till the last possible moment before choosing his stroke, ensured that he was able to take toll when the opportunity arose.Both batsmen had just about blunted the seamers when Gilchrist turned to spin, and Patel cashed in with two quick boundaries – a pull off Katich and a heave to midwicket off Shane Warne. The partnership reached three figures and Patel had brought up his half-century.

Kaif’s selection for this Test, his first in three years, proved to be an inspired decision. His 64, coming when it did, pulled India away from Australia after Virender Sehwag had laid the foundation. Kaif’s half-century, his first in Test cricket, meant that the score had moved from 6 for 233 to 7 for 335. The partnership was broken when a delivery from Warne bounced a bit more than Patel expected, and he gloved it to the Gilchrist behind the stumps. In keeping with the spirit of this game Patel walked before David Shepherd could make up his mind.Then there was a moment of confusion as Kaif dehydrated and cramped up badly. Having dashed off the field in urgent need of relief at the stroke of lunch, Kaif remained in the dressing-room, temporarily retiring hurt. Anil Kumble (20), who had batted well in the reassuring presence of Kaif, was bowled by one that drifted and turned and Harbhajan Singh popped a return catch to Warne, as he finished with 6 for 125.Kaif (64) returned to the crease with Yuvraj Singh as a runner, but did not last too long. He came down the wicket and lifted Warne over mid-on for one glorious boundary, and ran himself out shortly after in dramatic fashion. Having reverse-swept one to the short third man region, Kaif forgot about his runner and instinctively set off down the pitch. Then he slipped and fell on the pitch clutching his leg and couldn’t make it back before the bails were whipped off. By then, though, he had done his bit.

Glenn McGrath has revealed he is interested in playing county cricket during the English domestic season in 2006, which coincides with a break Australia have from international cricket.McGrath, who became the fourth bowler to take 500 Test wickets in the first Ashes Test at Lord’s, is considering going back to Worcestershire after a successful stint there in 2000. He also played briefly for Middlesex last season. quoted him as saying: “I’ve played for two counties and I don’t really want to make it three. I would say that Worcestershire are probably still top of my list.”Mark Newton, the Worcestershire County Cricket Club chief executive, said he hoped to speak to McGrath during the three-day game between Australia and Worcestershire beginning on July 30. “I’m sure at some stage during next week’s game at Worcester we will be able to have a conversation,” said Newton. “I’m sure everyone would be delighted if he came back here in the near future.” McGrath said he would be happy to talk with Worcestershire although nothing had been decided.

Scorecard

Warwickshire stormed into the C&G final, beating Lancashire by 99 runs at Edgbaston. The excellent work performed by their tail-enders paid off, as Lancashire stumbled chasing 237 for victory, thanks to disciplined bowling by Warwickshire’s seamers.Lancashire lost their first two wickets cheaply, and worse was to come as their key batsman, Andrew Symonds, was caught by the South African Makhaya Ntini off Neil Carter. Indeed, Ntini and Carter were the stars for Warwickshire; Ntini took 2 for 12 from 10 overs to really apply the brakes, and Carter 4 for 26 from 6 overs.Lancashire were in trouble at 90 for 5, but staged a recovery through Stuart Law and Dominic Cork. The pair only put on 33, but while Law was at the crease, Lancashire could still hope for victory. His wicket, caught behind off Carter for 47, spelt the end as Lancashire lost their last five wickets for just 14 runs.Earlier, a late flurry by Mike Powell and Tony Frost had steadied Warwickshire to what was a reasonable score, after a clutch of middle-order wickets saw them reduced fo 155 for 7, thanks to tight bowling from Lancashire.Warwickshire’s innings started brightly, despite the early loss of Neil Carter for 13 who fell to James Anderson. Nick Knight and Jonathan Trott consolidated in a stand worth 48, but Knight fell for a rare low score as Lancashire tightened their grip on the game, with regular wickets. The highly promising fast-bowler, Sajid Mahmood, dismissed Trott, which spelt a collapse for Warwickshire who lost five for 29, including Jim Troughton who had made 34 at a run a ball.Marcus North’s accurate off-spin accounted for three of their wickets, and he was indebted to Warren Hegg, who completed two stumpings and two catches. North, an underused bowler, ended with the impressive figures of 3-31 from eight overs. Powell and Frost’s brilliant late burst, in which they put on 81 for the eighth wicket, dampened Lancashire’s hopes of dismissing them for under 200, and it was this late-rally which ultimately won the game for Warwickshire.Warwickshire will face Hampshire in the final at Lord’s, on September 3.

Pakistan have said that they will send Shabbir Ahmed to Australia for further remedial work on his suspect action so that he can be available for selection for the series against England in October 2005.Shabbir will leave for Australia on September 25 and will undergo tests under the supervision of Bruce Elliot, a biomechanics expert. “We hope that a new report on his [Shabbir] action will be sent to the International Cricket Council within 10 days, and if it comes about we will talk to the ICC to review his action by the third week of October,” Saleem Altaf, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director of operations, was quoted as saying by AFP.”I am confident that I will get the all clear before the England series,” said Shabbir. “It’s a frustrating period but I hope I will come through.” Shabbir was reported for a third time for an illegal action in the West Indies in May and banned from bowling at international level after tests in July.

An invention, of potentially outstanding use to the cricket world from club through to international levels, needs funding for a revamp of its electronic circuitry.Dr Brian Wilkins, known to many cricketers as the author of two books on bowling, and articles in The Cricketer International, has also been involved in the development of a machine which measures the properties of cricket pitches.The prototype (Mark 1) has been tested on New Zealand pitches and, although it is cumbersome, and somewhat inaccurate on bounce, it has yielded useful new information.From this developed a Mark 2 machine, made and funded by Victoria University of Wellington (VUW). The new machine is mechanically superior as well as incorporating a new concept arising out of research carried out by Dr Colin Cook of VUW.This concept both increases the accuracy of the bounce and pace measurements but also allows, for the first time, the measurement of the friction (or grip) of a pitch. The output is programmed to download onto a laptop computer for processing into any desired form.Although the new machine and the new concepts incorporated in it have been validated, it needs a new set of electronic circuitry. The present circuitry constructed by a technician at VUW is prone to breakdown and needs to be completely rebuilt along with an improved mounting of the laser sources.Following the reorganisation of the physical sciences department at VUW no more funding was available for the project. The ownership of the machine, and of the intellectual property associated with it, has now passed to the individuals involved with the invention.They would like to hear from anyone interested in helping to bringing this machine to its full capability. They have been advised that $NZ50,000 is needed for the work. The ultimate marketability of the machine is as yet undetermined and will remain so until this prototype Mk 2 shows its full capabilities in the field, however, there has been intense interest in it from a number of quarters.Dr Wilkins is happy to provide more information to anyone who may be interested in helping to complete this project and receive a share of possible future profits. He can be contacted at 92 Kelburn Parade, Wellington, or by email [email protected], or phone (04) 977 3975.

A youthful West Indies side has been given the unenviable task of matching Australia in the three-Test series that starts at the Gabba on November 3. Bennett King, the former Queensland coach who now guides the visitors, will return to his old home ground hoping to threaten the team mentored by John Buchanan, his predecessor at the Bulls.”I think it’s more experience we’re probably lacking,” King told AAP. “Eleven of the players are 25 and under. There’s only two that are over 30 and they’re our most experienced players.”King, who believed Australia’s win over the World XI proved they had rebounded from the Ashes loss, said he was pleased with his side’s progress since taking over the role late in 2004. “The players to a man, they’re really dedicated and they work hard,” he said.Brian Lara is due to arrive in Brisbane on Friday and King was not worried about his lack of runs during the Super Series. “Hopefully he’s saving them all up for us against Australia,” he told AFP. “I think he’s copped some pretty harsh criticism in the press and people forget what he’s done – he’s one innings away from being the class player again that we all know that he is.” The tour begins with a four-day match against Queensland starting on October 27.

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, the Pakistan fast bowler, has picked out Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Flintoff as the most prized wickets in the Test series against England.”Trescothick has matured into a fine player. His wicket and that of Andrew Flintoff will be prized ones in Pakistan,” Rana told , a Pakistani daily. Trescothick is the only England batsman to have scored big on this tour. His unbeaten innings of 124 and 38 were crucial in rescuing England in the warm-up match against a Pakistan Cricket Board Patron’s XI at Rawalpindi.Rana has taken 55 wickets in 31 one-day matches, but has yet to cement his place in the Test side. In an otherwise flashy Pakistan pace attack led by Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, he is seen as a hard-working bowler who sticks to the basics. After a successful season with the English county Sussex, taking 54 wickets, he feels he is ready to stake a place in the Test side. “I have gained a lot of confidence with Sussex. My control over the old ball and reverse swing is also very good now,” he said. “I can take the pressure of spearheading the attack now.”Rana’s five Tests have yielded just eight wickets at an average of 76.62, but he feels the conditions in Pakistan will suit his style of bowling. “In Pakistan the pitches are low bounced and slow and the ball gets old quickly. Any bowler who has control over reverse swing will be successful.” With the ability to bowl a reverse-swinging yorker almost at will, Naved-ul-Hasan is relishing the opportunity to bowl against a potent England batting line-up. “I got a chance to bowl on dry wickets in England in August and September and the ball did a lot of reverse swing. This will help me a lot in the coming series,” he said.He has been included in Pakistan’s 16-man squad for the first two Tests.

ScorecardAnand Rajan, Madhya Pradesh’s debutant fast bowler, gave his side a good chance for victory by bundling out Jharkhand for 131 on the third day at Indore – leaving MP 210 to win on the final day. This was an impressive performance from the 20-year-old Rajan, whose five wickets completely dominated the day’s play and capped a fine comeback for MP, who had earlier lost four quick wickets in the morning as Shankar Rao’s medium pace ripped through the tail. Much of MP’s fortunes in the run-chase will rest on Devendra Bundela, their first innings centurion, after they got off to a shaky start, losing two quick wickets towards the end of the day.ScorecardSwapnil Asnodkar compiled his highest first-class score as Goa surpassed Tripura’s first-innings total on the third day’s play at Margao, ending on 316 for 6. Asnodkar batted for a marathon 530 minutes, stroking 21 fours, and he added 117 runs for the seventh wicket with Shabad Jakati, the left-arm spinner. Eight bowlers were used by Rasudeb Datta, Tripura’s captain, with only Vineet Jain’s medium pace accounting for two wickets on a tough fielding day.
ScorecardSadagoppan Ramesh’s fine hundred and fifties from Koragappa Chandrasekhara and Suresh Kumar took Kerala to 370 in its first innings, but Rajasthan’s openers had whittled that lead down to just 15 at the end of the third day at Jaipur. Ramesh’s 16th first-class hundred, which was punctuated with 15 fours, set the base while Chandrasekhara and Kumar used the long handle to good effect towards the end of Kerala’s innings, striking two sixes apiece. Mohammad Aslam, the left-arm spinner, was the most successful bowler for Rajasthan with 5 for 87.
ScorecardThe spin duo of Sanjay Satpathy and S Sehgal combined to dismiss Vidarbha for 271, giving Orissa a lead of 111 going into the final day of their Plate Group match at Nagpur. For Vidarbha, a fine opening stand of 117 between Faiz Fazal and Amit Deshpande made way for a frenetic collapse as Satpathy and Sehgal – who bowled 78.2 overs between them – ripped through the batting order. Orissa, whose top order came good in the first innings, now had the chance to put some quick runs on the board before letting their bowlers have another crack at Vidarbha on the final day.
ScorecardJ Arunkumar’s hundred was the highlight on the third day of the Plate Group match between Assam and Jammu & Kashmir at Guwahati, taking the hosts to 353 – a clinical 101-run lead – heading into the final day. His was an assertive knock, and he was ably supported by Nishantha Bordoloi in a 146-run partnership for the seventh wicket that propelled Assam past J&K’s first innings total. Significantly, Vikrant Taggar and Sajjad, J&K’s openers, played out 16 overs for a paltry 12 runs – an indication of what lies ahead for those planning to watch the final day’s passage.

Rahul Dravid has admitted that going one-nil up is an ideal situation, while playing a three-match Test series, but was quick to add that they had to be good enough to fightback, in case it doesn’t go their way. Stating that the pitch at the Gadaffi Stadium was a “good wicket” that will help both the fast bowlers and spinners, Dravid said he was totally satisfied with his side’s preparation for the first Test.While playing his cards close to his chest, Dravid refused to divulge any team information, but admitted that he had decided on the final XI. “For strategic reasons, I wouldn’t reveal my final XI. It’s always good to keep the opposition guessing. It’s good to be in a situation where one can choose from so many good players. Five will be unlucky to miss out. Better to be in a position where we have choices rather than the other way around.”Adding that he was “very happy” with their preparations for the game, Dravid spoke about the quality net facilites that his team had been provided with. “We’re happy with everything – the hospitality, the net facilities, the practice pitches. We had a few sessions at the NCA”Dravid said that it was important for the team to win crucial points and big moments during the series and that could have a decisive influence on its outcome. He also added that the last tour in 2004 was also very much about cricket, though it was historic for a lot of other reasons.